HOW TO CONTRIBUTE

Did you ever get your kicks on Route 66? Do you remember eating at Red’s Giant Hamburg or stopping at a filling station on College Street?

The City of Springfield is building a roadside park on Historic Route 66 (West College Street between Grant Avenue and Kansas Expressway) as a historical area, and we are inviting you to be involved.

WhoThe City of Springfield is the third largest municipality in Missouri and is the birthplace of not only Route 66, but also cashew chicken, and home of the first western shootout involving Wild Bill Hickock.

WhatWith a little help from the City of Springfield, a group of citizens, business owners and developers have created a plan to revitalize the Mother Road – Route 66, and pay homage in an eclectic and unique development in the city’s west side.

The City has ponied up resources to provide plans for creating distinct infrastructure in the area, which includes a Roadside Park celebrating the city’s history of being the Birthplace of Route 66.

We will also include in the park - a replica of the Red's Giant Hamburg sign.

Red's, owned and operated by Sheldon "Red" Chaney and his wife Julia, was a roadside café located on West Chestnut Expressway recognized for opening the world's first drive-through window.

WhenAn unveiling of the recreated Red’s Hamburg sign will take place in Spring 2014.

WhereAt the Route 66 Roadside Park, located in beautiful Springfield, Missouri, along the College Street Corridor.

WhyOfficially recognized as the birthplace of what became known as the iconic "Mother Road," it was in Springfield on April 30, 1926 that officials first proposed U.S. 66 as the name of the new Chicago-to-Los Angeles highway.

Traces of Route 66 are still visible in downtown Springfield, along Kearney Street, Glenstone Avenue, College and St. Louis streets, and Chestnut Expressway.

Sadly, this history is not celebrated much inthe way of roadside attractions or other ways. Creating the Red’s Giant Hamburg sign is the first step in a complete revitalization effort!